The Resource Centre for Human Rights and Civic Education (CHRICED) has criticised former Senator Ben Murray-Bruce’s defence of fuel subsidy removal, arguing that the Federal Government should take greater responsibility for the economic hardship Nigerians have experienced since the policy was introduced.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, CHRICED’s Executive Director, Comrade Ibrahim M. Zikirullahi, described the policy as one implemented without adequate consultation, planning or sufficient measures to cushion its impact on citizens.
The statement was a response to Murray-Bruce’s article titled “Mass Transit Policy,” in which the former lawmaker argued that state governments should use increased Federation Account allocations to subsidise transportation for residents.
Zikirullahi rejected the argument, maintaining that the removal of the fuel subsidy triggered rising transportation costs and inflation before states could respond with interventions.
According to him, while the Constitution assigns responsibility for intra-state transportation to governors, the Federal Government cannot absolve itself of responsibility for the economic consequences of subsidy removal.
“You cannot set a house on fire and then lecture the tenants on how to arrange their furniture,” he said.
The rights advocate questioned the government’s handling of the subsidy savings, asking how much relief had reached ordinary Nigerians since the policy was implemented.
He also challenged claims that the removal of the subsidy primarily targeted wealthy beneficiaries, arguing that many of the structural problems previously associated with the subsidy regime had not disappeared.
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The CHRICED executive director called for greater transparency in the management of public finances, urging the Federal Government to provide clearer accountability for the use of funds generated from subsidy removal.
He argued that effective governance should be measured not only by policy announcements but also by improvements in citizens’ living conditions, including security, employment opportunities and access to essential services.
While acknowledging that state governments have responsibilities in addressing transportation challenges, Zikirullahi insisted that the Federal Government must lead efforts to provide economic relief and restore public confidence.
He called for more consultative policymaking, stronger social protection measures and increased fiscal accountability, saying Nigerians deserve policies that ease rather than deepen economic hardship.
